Hanging shelving system for utility shed

ABSTRACT

A hanging shelving system for assembly with a molded utility shed is composed of several wire shelves with hangers at each corner. The hangers cooperate with reinforcing strips in the molded shed roof to suspend the shelves.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/______ filed ______ entitled, Plastic Expandable Utility Shed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a large enclosure constructed of plastic structural panels. More specifically, the present invention relates to a modular construction system utilizing shelves having integrated connectors to cooperate with integrated connectors in the roof for stability and support.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

This invention relates generally to a large enclosure constructed of plastic structural panels. More specifically, the present invention relates to a modular construction system utilizing shelves having integrated connectors to cooperate with integrated connectors in the structural panels for stability and support.

Utility sheds are a necessity for lawn and garden care, as well as general all-around home storage space. Typically, items such as garden tractors, snow blowers, tillers, ATVs, motorcycles and the like consume a great deal of the garage floor space available, forcing the homeowner to park his automobile outside.

The large items, such as mentioned above, require accessories and supplies that must also be stored, as well as other small tools. To avoid using more floor space for these supplies, a system of shelving is usually constructed as free standing units or attached to the walls of the sheds. Free standing units are unstable, particularly, when carrying a top-heavy load. And in the modular plastic sheds, now available, it is difficult to attach shelves to the plastic panels without damaging the integrity of the panels.

Modular shelving systems are well known as illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 6,178,896 to Houk, Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 5,709,158 to Wareheim and U.S. Pat. No. 5,588,541 to Goetz. These are stand-alone modular units with multiple horizontal shelves supported by sectional legs or, in the case of the Goetz patent, a back panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is a primary objective of the instant invention to provide a hanging shelving system for cooperating with structural elements in a plastic utility shed for stability and support.

It is another objective of the instant invention to provide a modular shelving system with flexibility in assembly to support different size and different weight articles.

It is a still further objective of the instant invention to provide manual assembly of the shelving system.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with any accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration and example, certain embodiments of this invention. Any drawings contained herein constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate various objects and features thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURE

The FIGURE is a perspective of a utility shed with a hanging shelving system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As shown in the FIGURE, the utility shed 10 is a structure assembled from molded panels with the roof panels removed. The shed may have floor panels, also. The panels, including the roof panels, are reinforced with metal strips for safety, structural rigidity and strength. The excess structural strength afforded by the strips may be utilized to support interior shelving provided as an accessory or as an after market item.

As shown, a sidewall panel 11 is joined to and end panel 12. Each of the end panels 12 have a peak 13 to support a pitched roof. The reinforcing strip 14, in the form of a ridge pole, joins each end panel at the center of the peak. Roof reinforcing strip 15 and roof reinforcing strip 16 are disposed on opposite sides of the ridge pole and at the same level with each other. The ends of the ridge pole and the roof strips abut the interior of the peak 13 allowing a continuous straight upper edge for covering the ends of the roof panels. The roof panels (not shown) are in contact with the ridge pole and reinforcing strips and have spaced clips that secure the roof panels to the reinforcing strips. Because of the pitch of the roof, there is a vertical space between the roof panels and the reinforcing strips on each side. By hanging shelves from the reinforcing strips this space can be used for storage.

The shelving 20, shown in the drawing, is assembled from several long wire shelves 21, 22, and 23 suspended from the reinforcing strips by hangers located at each corner of each shelf. The shelf 21 has a storage surface formed of metal or plastic ribs 24 extending across the width of the shelf. Each end of the ribs terminates with a down-turned portion 25 and 26. The ribs are supported by longitudinal bars 27, 28 and 29 extending the length of the shelf. The down-turned ends are fixed to bars 30 and 31. The shelves are of a length to span the distance between the reinforcing strips 15 and 16.

Each hanger 32 is made of metal or plastic of requisite strength. The upper end 33 of the hanger is a C-shaped double hook with the upper portion in the shape to mate with the exterior surface of the reinforcing strip 15 and 16. The lower portion of the C-shaped hook 33 is attached to one end of a spacer 34 which extends the width of the shelf. The other end of the spacer 34 is attached to another hanger 32 at the adjacent corner of the shelf.

The lower end 35 of the hanger 32 is a loop which extends around two adjacent ribs 24 and the bar 30 near the down-turned portions of the shelf. The loop is closed about the spacer 34 and the lower portion of the C-shaped hook.

The shelves may be included with the molded utility shed or a separate accessory or an after market item. The hangers are normally attached to the corners of the shelves at the factory. Assembly merely requires placing the upper C-shaped hook over the roof reinforcing strips.

It is to be understood that while a certain form of the invention is illustrated, it is not to be limited to the specific form or arrangement herein described and shown. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention and the invention is not to be considered limited to what is shown and described in the specification and any drawings/FIGURES included herein. 

1. A hanging shelving system for assembly with a molded utility shed having reinforcing strips for supporting roof panels comprising at least one shelf spanning the distance between said reinforcing strips, a storage surface on said shelf, a plurality of hangers attached to said storage surface for engaging said reinforcing strips and supporting said shelf.
 2. A hanging shelving system of claim 1 wherein said storage surface is composed of a series of ribs extending the width of said shelf, said ribs connected to longitudinal bars, said shelf having a first end and a second end, at least two hangers attached to said first end, said hangers connected by a spacer, at least two hangers attached to said second end, said hangers connected by a second spacer, said spacer and said second spacer extending parallel to said ribs.
 3. A hanging shelving system of claim 2 wherein said hangers attached to said first end have an upper end formed as a hook for engaging said reinforcing strips and a lower end formed as a loop, said loop disposed about said ribs and said longitudinal bars, said hangers attached to said second end have an upper end formed as a hook for engaging said reinforcing strips and a lower end formed as a loop, said loop disposed about said ribs and said longitudinal bars.
 4. A hanging shelving system of claim 1 wherein said hangers have an upper end formed as a hook for engaging said reinforcing strips and a lower end formed as a loop, said loop disposed about said storage surface.
 5. A hanging shelving system of claim 4 wherein said storage surface has a first end and a second end, at least two hangers at said first end and at least two hangers at said second end, said at least two hangers at said first end connected by a spacer parallel to said storage surface, said at least two hangers at said second end connected by another spacer parallel to said storage surface.
 6. A hanging shelving system for suspension below roof reinforcing strips in a molded utility shed comprising a plurality of shelves, each of said plurality of shelves having a storage surface formed of a series of ribs extending the width of the shelf, said ribs supported by longitudinal bars, said storage surface defined by four corners spaced apart, a first, second, third and fourth hanger at each of said four corners, each hanger having an upper end formed as a hook to engage said reinforcing strips and a lower end formed as a loop to surround said ribs and a longitudinal bar, a first spacer with a first end and a second end disposed parallel to said ribs, said first end connected to a said first hanger intermediate said upper end and said lower end, said second end connected to said second hanger intermediate said upper end and said lower end, a second spacer with a third end and a fourth end disposed parallel to said ribs, said third end connected to said third hanger intermediate said upper end and said lower end and said fourth end connected to said fourth hanger intermediate said upper end and said lower end. 